Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to extend the understanding on antecedents of emotional
labour. along with the initial identification of the fact that some nurses in government
hospitals in Sri Lanka do not display emotional labour, the relationship between Type-A/B
personality, work hours, work values, educational level and the three dimensions of
emotional labour (surface acting, deep acting and expressions of naturally felt emotions)
were tested using data collected from 134 nursing officers of few government hospitals in
Sri Lanka. The results illustrate that Type-A personality and work hours are positively related
with surface acting and Type-B personality and work values are negatively related with
surface acting. Type-A personality is negatively related with deep acting and work hours are
negatively related with both deep acting and expressions of naturally felt emotions.
Moreover, Type-B personality and work values are positively related with deep acting and
expressions of naturally felt emotions. Implications are to enhance the quality of nursepatient
relationships. Further it was identified that hospitals should consider the work hours
and personality of the nurses.
